Theni district police arrested Thirupathi and Meenakshisundaram on Wednesday (Oct 28), the remaining two absconding prisoners who had escaped from the Thekkampatti sub-jail on the night of October 26, taking the total number of arrests to 17.
Theni jailbreak: All 17 arrested; DGP cites human error, breach of protocol
Inquiry ordered; will also examine any possible collusion; nine suspended
Theni district police have arrested all the 17 prisoners who escaped from the Thekkampatti sub-jail on the night of October 26, after a major manhunt.
The two prisoners Thirupathi and Meenakshisundaram who remained at large were arrested on Wednesday (October 28).
‘Human error’
Director General of Prisons Sandeep Rai Rathore attributed the escape to “human error” and a clear breach of security protocol. Speaking after inspecting the facility, Rathore said, “There was a clear breach of security protocol as the prisoners managed to pass through a three-tier barrier manned by security personnel. Some prison staff were carried away by the claim that an inmate had suffered epilepsy and was battling for life. Their focus was on shifting him to the hospital. The prisoners took advantage of this gap and escaped.”
Also read: Theni jailbreak: How police caught 13 fleeing prisoners within 24 hours
A total of 17 prisoners escaped on Monday after staging a fake medical emergency. Five of the escapees were involved in a murder case registered at Vikramangalam police station.
Nine prison staff members of different ranks have been suspended for dereliction of duty. A detailed inquiry has been ordered into the lapses, and Rathore said firm action would be taken against those found guilty. He added that the inquiry would also examine any possible collusion.
Search operation
In the first phase of the search, five prisoners were arrested. On Tuesday (October 27) evening, special teams, with the help of drone cameras, located and arrested eight more prisoners who were hiding in the Amachiyapuram forest area behind the jail. This took the total number of re-arrests to 13 within 24 hours of the jailbreak.
Also read: No tunnel, no wall-scaling: How a staged seizure broke open Theni sub-jail
The first five arrested prisoners have been remanded in judicial custody till November 10 and ordered to be lodged again in Thekkampatti jail. The eight arrested on Tuesday evening are to be produced before the Andipatti court on Wednesday (October 28).
More than 300 police personnel were involved in the manhunt, with drones monitoring movements. Checkpoints were set up at district borders, major roads, bus stands, and railway stations, and the Kerala Police was also alerted.